Apparatus for transferring sample vessels into collecting vessels

Abstract

A device for transferring sample vessels carried by a microtiter member to collecting vessels which are carried in cassettes and are dimensioned to accommodate the sample vessels. The device is composed of a table provided with a distributor plate for receiving and supporting the microtiter member and which is provided with openings corresponding in number to the number of sample vessels, each opening being located to lie below a respective one of the sample vessels when the microtiter member is supported by the plate; an intermediate plate disposed below the distributor plate and provided with a plurality of openings equal in number to the openings in the distributor plate and each associated with a respective distributor plate opening; a distributor system extending between the distributor plate and the intermediate plate for transferring a respective sample vessel from each distributor plate opening to its associated intermediate plate opening; and a base plate disposed below the intermediate plate for the orderly accommodation of the cassettes in a manner such that each collecting vessel is located below a respective intermediate plate opening.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for transferring sample vessels permanently connected to a microtiter plate to collecting vessels which are carried in cassettes and are dimensioned to accommodate such sample vessels, comprising: (a) a table provided with a distributor plate for receiving and supporting such microtiter plate and which is provided with openings corresponding in number to the number of such sample vessels, each opening being located to lie below a respective one of such sample vessels when such microtiter plate is supported by said distributor plate;   (b) an intermediate plate disposed below said distributor plate and provided with a plurality of openings equal in number to said openings in said distributor plate and each associated with a respective distributor plate opening;   (c) means defining a distributor system extending between said distributor plate and said intermediate plate for transferring a respective sample vessel from each distributor plate opening to its associated intermediate plate opening;   (d) a base plate disposed below said intermediate plate for the orderly accommodation of such cassettes in a manner such that each collecting vessel is located below a respective intermediate plate opening;   (e) guide means mounted on said table; and   (f) a cutting device which can be moved relative to such microtiter plate, when such microtiter plate is supported by said distributor plate, while being guided by said guide means, for severing such sample vessels from such microtiter plate.   
     
     
       2. Device as defined in claim 1 wherein said distributor system comprises a group of pipes, with each said pipe establishing a connection between one said opening in said distributor plate and an associated opening in said intermediate plate. 
     
     
       3. Device as defined in claim 1 wherein said cutting device comprises a carriage, two holding pins carried by said carriage, a heatable cutting wire tensioned between said holding pins for severing such sample vessels from such microtiter plate when said carriage is being moved. 
     
     
       4. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said distributor system is constructed for transferring each such sample vessel while maintaining substantially the orientation which each such sample vessel has when connected to such microtiter plate and when such microtiter plate is being supported by said distributor plate. 
     
     
       5. Apparatus for supplying sample vessels to collecting vessels which are carried in cassettes and are dimensioned to accommodate such sample vessels, said apparatus comprising: (a) a microtiter rack provided with through bores in which such sample vessels are disposed, said rack including a slide member arranged to support such sample vessels and mounted for displacement in grooves to permit such sample vessels to drop out of said through bores;   (b) a table provided with a distributor plate for receiving and supporting said microtiter rack and which is provided with openings corresponding in number to the number of such sample vessels, each opening being located to lie below a respective one of such sample vessels when said microtiter rack is supported by said plate;   (c) an intermediate plate disposed below said distributor plate and provided with a plurality of openings equal in number to said openings in said distributor plate and each associated with a respective distributor plate opening;   (d) means defining a distributor system extending between said distributor plate and said intermediate plate for transferring a respective sample vessel from each distributor plate opening to its associated intermediate plate opening; and   (e) a base plate disposed below said intermediate plate for the orderly accommodation of such cassettes in a manner such that each collecting vessel is located below a respective intermediate plate opening.   
     
     
       6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said distributor system comprises a group of pipes, with each said pipe establishing a connection between one said opening in said distributor plate and an associated opening in said intermediate plate.